Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 9
The message that the young prophet (holy man) gave was very similar to Elijah’s message in 1 Kings 21:21-24. Jehu himself was present when, perhaps 15 years earlier, Elijah declared that message to Ahab (9:25-26).
When Jehu originally heard that message, it seemed to mean little to him. We cannot say whether he believed it at that time, or not. He simply continued to serve Ahab, and his sons after him, in the army. He increased in rank and importance until he became the commander of the army of Joram, Ahab’s son.
All of this time, God was working in Jehu’s life, although Jehu did not know it. In fact, even before Elijah declared that message to Ahab, God had already spoken to him about Jehu. So Elijah knew that Jehu would be king, with the special task to punish Ahab’s family for their many crimes (1 Kings 19:16-17).
Elijah would have seen Jehu at the time when he spoke the message to Ahab. However, God did not direct Elijah to tell Jehu about his (God’s) plan for Jehu’s life. That was not the right time for Jehu to know that he would be king.
However now, at last, the right time had come. God gave to the young man a message that would remind Jehu about Elijah’s message to Ahab. It was important for Jehu to know that both of these messages really had come from God. God was carrying out his judgments in Jehu’s nation – and God was working powerfully in Jehu’s life.
Next part: The punishment of Ahab's family (2 Kings 9:9-10)
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